Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Supervisors approve major Buchanan Airport mixed-use project, more airport projects planned

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Sheriff-Coroner awarded $400,000 in grants

By Daniel Borsuk

Contra Costa Supervisors flashed the green light on Tuesday for county airport officials to ink a long-term lease with a Southern California developer to build a 52,000 square foot, single story mixed-use building at 550 Sally Ride Drive near Buchanan Field Airport in Concord.

The supervisors’ 4-0 action serves as a signal that more commercial and aviation related developments are in the pipeline on county owned property adjacent to the county’s two airports – Buchanan Field Airport and Byron Airport.

District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis was not in attendance because she was at a business meeting representing the supervisors.

The supervisors’ action on the consent agenda item means that Airports Director Keith Freitas can proceed to execute a long-term lease with Montecito Commercial Group, LLC for the lease of about 3.21 acres of unimproved county-owned property at the south end of Sally Ride Drive.

As part of the supervisors’ action, the developer will receive a mitigated negative declaration attached to the project’s environmental impact report.  During the EIR procedure, the Contra Costa Water District submitted a letter about the developer’s water usage and an easement issue.  Both issues were resolved according to the CCWD.

The county can expect to cash in on the proposed single-story office-warehouse-distribution building.  During the two-year construction period, the county will be paid $1,000 per month, but once construction is completed monthly rent will increase to $4,247 and will be adjusted every year on April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index.

The Montecito lease calls the one-year period beginning April 1, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 any adjustment will not be greater than 75 percent of the CPI factor.  For the one period beginning on April 1, 2028, throughout the lease term, any adjustment to ground rent based on CPI may not be more than 4 percent of ground rent then in effect.

The Montecito development serves as an indication more projects near the county’s two airports are on their way for future supervisors’ review and action, Assistant Airports Director Beth Lee said.  Supervisors are expected to soon consider two large developments proposed for the Byron Airport.  One is a proposed building for aviation use and the other building is for non-aviation use, Lee said.

Lee noted the developer has yet to complete design and other procedural work before the Montecito project can get underway.

Before the Montecito -Buchanan Field development, the last development constructed on county airport property occurred in 2012 at the Byron Airport when the Patriot Jet Team building was constructed, said Lee.

When asked if real estate developers are finally recognizing how county airport projects can generate ideal real estate deals, Lee responded: “We sure hope so. This could mean a major new source of revenue for the county.”

Two State Grants Approved for Sheriff-Coroner

Supervisors approved two major state grants for the Sheriff-Coroner’s Office.

A $300,000 grant from the California Division of Boating and Waterways was awarded to the Sheriff-Coroner for the removal of abandoned vessels and the vessel turn-in program on county waterways.  The grant goes into effect beginning Oct. 1, 2018 and remains in effect when grant funding runs out.  Ninety percent of the funding comes from the state and 10 percent is an in-kind match.

Supervisors also approved a $97,100 grant for the Sheriff-Coroner from the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, Division of Law Enforcement Tobacco Law Enforcement Grant Program.  The grant will be used from June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2020 to decrease juvenile access and use of tobacco products.

Both grants were approved as consent items.

County Interfaith Council makes preparations for impending Westboro Baptist Church protests

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Westboro Baptist Church protesters. Photo: Westboro Baptist Church website.

Controversial Kansas church to protest churches and a school in Contra Costa

In their public statement in response to an announcement by the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) of Topeka, Kansas to target four churches and a school in Contra Costa County this weekend, the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County stands in solidarity with those congregations and schools in our county that the WBC plans to visit this weekend.

Four press releases on their Picket Schedule page of their website state, “WBC to peacefully preach Jesus Christ, with great zeal, love & fervor at four locations in Walnut Creek, CA on Sunday, March 25th”. A fifth press release states, “Lord willing, WBC will bring the name & message of Christ Jesus to Rancho Romero Elementary School” in Alamo, on Tuesday, March 27th.

That last press releases gives an explanation for the protest stating, “A horrible thing has happened in the land and we must warn the children at Rancho Romero Elementary School, because they deserve to hear the truth for once in their lives! ‘A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?’ (Jeremiah 5:30-31)  From the cradle, your parents, teachers, preachers and leaders have all lied to you. They all told you that there is no standard in the earth, and that God’s commands are merely suggestions, if they spoke of them at all. The worst part is that they did this horrendous thing to you to justify their own sins. The result is that you are left rudderless and without a polestar in this sea of lies with absolutely no hope in life, nor any hope of heaven when you die.”

The school is part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

The WBC is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks such groups nationally.  They proselytize all those groups who don’t believe like they do.  They have been known to attempt to entrap municipalities or counter protesters for “not protecting their first amendment rights of free speech” in order to bring law suits against them.

A press release from the Interfaith Council and East County Shared Ministry, offered the following information about the protests and proposed response:

The Interfaith Council stands with all of those who peacefully use their first amendment rights of the freedom of religion and the freedom of association and assembly as they attend the faith community of their choice.  We call all Americans to honor the choices others make as to how, when or where to worship according to their own consciences.  We call not only for tolerance of other people’s religious freedoms, but for respect, care and love for our fellow Americans as they do so.

The four congregations in Walnut Creek (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist; First Church of Christ, Scientist; and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception) being targeted by the WBC ask that people who join them in solidarity focus on our common love, whether it be with those with whom you agree or those with whom you disagree.  Most congregations won’t have a direct response and are encouraging members not to respond to the protesters directly, but to have a gentle, peaceful or silent response if at all.  Another way to support these congregations in this peaceful witness is to join them inside for their services, where you will be most welcome.

The churches and the school are most interested in being able to be left alone to worship and carry on normal school functions, so we are not encouraging a large crowd. The idea is not to give WBC the attention they crave.

WBC has contacted the police in each city, who have created plans for where the protesters will be allowed to stand.  The police will keep the driveways and walkways open.  The police have been told it will be four people with many offensive signs, but we don’t know how many local protesters they may have recruited so it could be more.

If anyone comes to counter protest, please know that the congregations are united in responding with love, peace and grace and ask you to honor and follow their approach.  Parking will be quite limited near some congregations, especially those on the dead-end street of Eckley Lane, where only street parking may be available to preserve enough space for congregation members.

The Rancho Romero Elementary School in Alamo, where the WBC will be protesting on Tuesday morning, March 27, is in a residential neighborhood without enough room to park and is usually quite crowded as students are being dropped off for school.  Those wishing to be a peaceful presence will be dressed for the weather and using rainbow umbrellas to block the hateful message of the protesters.  They will be meeting early to park a mile to the north in the Safeway shopping center parking lots and walking south on the Ironhorse Trail as there are no safe sidewalks on Danville Blvd to walk there upon.

East County Shared Ministry (Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch) stands in solidarity with those congregations and schools in our county targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (WBC).

Again, parents are asking that no counter protesters attend unless you make a commitment not to verbally or physically engage with WBC and be a part of their peaceful, protective presence.  A large crowd will not be necessary to ignore them and protect the children.  If you must attend, please follow these guidelines they have laid out:

The Rainbow Umbrella Mindset

  1. Focus on Loving Kiddos & Ignoring WBC
  • #1: Do not engage with WBC.  If you find ignoring WBC challenging, please stay home.
  • Show up in solidarity for all kiddos in our community.
  • Turn your back on hate. Get to know your neighbors.
  • Model positive adult behavior, not only for the small kiddos but also especially for the high school students, who may attend. Fold in the young adults, keeping things under control. Take this opportunity to talk to them.
  1. Love in Action is Safe, Not Angry or Scary
  • Think quiet, calm, reassuring, warm, and relaxed.
  • Think smiles, waves, laughter, and singing.
  • No yelling, no chanting, and no anger. (If this sounds hard, please stay home.)
  • Send loving messages (verbal/clothing/signs), telling all children that they are safe and celebrated.
  1. Protect the School by Staying Off School Property
  • Be a barrier of love that shields the school.
  • Be aware. Please do not go on school property for any reason.
  • We are not guests of the school. They are not hosting us.
  • Keep cars parked far away, using trail access to avoid Danville Blvd.
  1. Leave the Area Better than You Found It
  • Backpacks are best.
  • No bathrooms will be available.
  • Be a good neighbor by bringing a trash bag to clean up litter at the end.
  • Help minimize any disruption or additional clean up for the school, the law enforcement support, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

About the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County

The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County (ICCCC) is an autonomous local organization solely governed by its own Executive Committee, elected by the membership at the Council’s annual meeting. There are over 100 congregations and organizations holding membership and affiliation from a wide range of Christian and other faith traditions throughout Contra Costa County, including Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i, Unitarian, Islamic, Sikh, Unity, Latter-Day Saints, and Religious Science.

About East County Shared Ministry

East County Shared Ministry consists of Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch. ECSM recognizes, celebrates and gives thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. All are invited to participate in community and worship life including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

Diablo Valley College – Pleasant Hill Campus closed due to threat Thursday will reopen Friday

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The Diablo Valley College-Pleasant Hill Campus will reopen and resume all scheduled classes, student services, and activities on Friday, March 23, 2018.  The San Ramon Campus will resume its regular schedule of Friday closure.

As a precaution, all classes and college activities at the Diablo Valley College (DVC)-Pleasant Hill Campus were cancelled today, March 22, 2018, due to a potentially serious threat made against the campus.

The college found graffiti threatening the use of a firearm on the DVC-Pleasant Hill Campus.  The situation is under investigation and so we are unable to share any further details at this time. DVC staff and students have been notified of this decision. All classes at the Diablo Valley College-San Ramon Campus, Contra Costa College, and Los Medanos College, are continuing as scheduled.

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.  Additional information will be placed on the college website at www.dvc.edu as it becomes available and so we are unable to share any further details at this time. DVC staff and students have been notified of this decision. All classes at the Diablo Valley College-San Ramon Campus, Contra Costa College, and Los Medanos College, are continuing as scheduled.

 

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.  Additional information will be placed on the college website at www.dvc.edu as it becomes available.

Single-car fatal collision on Highway 4 in Martinez Friday morning

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Friday morning, March 16 at about 8:29 A.M., Contra Costa CHP was advised of a solo vehicle, solo occupant, vehicle vs. a tree collision on Highway 4 westbound at the Alhambra Road off ramp. Upon CHP and emergency personnel arrival, the driver (unknown age male from Walnut Creek) was trapped within the Honda sedan and unresponsive. The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

In the initial investigation, it appears that the driver was driving the 1994 Black Honda Civic Highway 4 westbound approaching the Alhambra Road off ramp at an unknown speed. At the time it was raining and the roadway was wet. For unknown reasons, the driver veered from his lane to the right and off the roadway, down the embankment towards the off ramp located below. His Honda’s left driver side impacted directly into a large tree and came to rest with the tree fully crushing into the driver seat and male. He was pronounced deceased on scene. While the vehicle was being recovered the off ramps and #1 lane were partially shut down to recover the Honda.

It is unknown if alcohol or drugs are a factor in this collision. It is still under investigation and if anyone witnessed it or the events leading up to it, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980.

Rep. DeSaulnier to host town hall in Pleasant Hill Monday, Feb. 12

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Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) will host a town hall at Diablo Valley College this coming Monday, February 12th at 6:30 p.m. in Pleasant Hill.

This town hall is an opportunity to discuss important issues of the day including the federal budget, the new tax law, immigration, the economy, and more. Attendees will be provided with a Congressional update and given the opportunity to ask questions.

Pleasant Hill Town Hall

Monday, February 12, 2018

6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Diablo Valley College, Cafeteria

321 Golf Club Road

Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

Please confirm your attendance, by RSVPing online at https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call 925-933-2660. To request ADA accommodations or for more information please contact one of Congressman DeSaulnier’s offices in either Walnut Creek or Richmond.

Writer challenges DVC Professor who lectured students to violate laws, abolish “white democracy”

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Professor Albert Ponce during his lecture. Screenshot from YouTube video.

Dear Editor:

Some time ago, I read an article about Diablo Valley College Professor, Albert Ponce. It was obvious from what I read—if the article was accurate—that the man is either a communist or an anarchist; I’m not sure which. I wanted to find out a little bit about the man and after a few minutes I happened unto a webpage in which some of his students expressed their feelings about the professor. Some were complimentary (sycophantic), but many described a man who is an abusive bully. A man who attacks those who do not agree with his beliefs and that intimidates students who simply want the opportunity to express their own opinions and worldviews. It seemed that Dr. Ponce doesn’t like to teach as much as he likes to indoctrinate. (See YouTube video of Ponce’s lecture). (See additional related article.)

After reading all of this information, I wrote Professor Ponce and challenged him to a debate. I simply wanted to see if his beliefs were founded on personal experience. Surely, a man like Dr. Ponce has lived in Cuba, China or at least one of the former Soviet Bloc nations. I’m sure that with all he has to say about the wonders of Socialism and Communism, he must have worked on collective farms and been able to compare socialist production models against those of the capitalist west. In order to support his socialist beliefs, he must have extensive experience as a concentration camp guard, abusing, torturing and perhaps even killing a few inmates. I’m also sure that his students would like to see personal photographs of him rubbing shoulders with Raul Castro, Vladimir Putin or China’s Xi Jinping. Surely, Dr. Ponce’s platitudes are not based on simple vitriolic rhetoric, talking points and baseless revulsion he feels for the United States. Please tell me that his experience abroad can’t be limited to Chiapas, Mexico in 1999 (I was in Cuba conducting research of my own that year) where he blamed the North American Free Trade Agreement for the problems of the indigenous tribes.

Surely, he must know what it’s like to observe grieving relatives being forced to dig the corpses of their rotting relatives from temporary graves, one piece at a time. He must have experience urinating and defecating on graves as the widows of his enemies looked on. He must surely have extensive experience in all of these things or he is just an empty wind bag.

The irony of Professor Albert Ponce is that all that he has gained and earned was achieved in a free society. I heartily congratulate Dr. Ponce for his academic success. Nobody can take that away from the man. He obviously recognizes the hard work it took, the sleepless nights, living without to make his tuition payments, sacrificing to realize his dreams, etc. I’m sure that along the way, he was allowed to express an opinion, a point of view or a long-held conviction. He must have expressed those ideals during some examination, either vocally or in writing. His doctoral dissertation must have expressed some of his personal doctrines and beliefs, and because of that liberty to express those beliefs, he didn’t suffer the indignity of having the dreaded Secret Police come to his door at night to frighten him into silence. And yet, with all of his rich experience, now he wants to shutter the hearts, minds and passions of students, parents or others who don’t agree with him. His weapon at present is intimidation, but by every insinuation of his hateful speech, it is clear to see that his weapon of choice may one day be a rifle or a gun.

The First Amendment doesn’t have to protect the beautiful utterances of historic poetry, classical music or our favorite and profound Bible passages. The First Amendment was fashioned to protect the stupid, the hateful and the obtuse declarations of the vilest among us. That is free speech. That is living in an open and free society. When I first came to this country, the Klu Klux Klan was still allowed to march down Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. People who stood on the sidewalk witnessing this, yelled at the klansmen and expressed their verbal rejection of them, but they knew that this hate group had as much right to protest in our nation’s capital as any other citizen’s group. To be honest, I felt freer and safer back in those days than I do right now.

The most profound statement that I have found on free speech I heard in a movie called, “The America President.” It says,

“America isn’t easy. America is advanced citizenship. You’ve gotta want it bad, ’cause it’s gonna put up a fight. It’s gonna say, “You want free speech? Let’s see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who’s standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.” You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free.”

If Professor Ponce can just get past the visions of his own grandeur, maybe he can stop long enough to listen to what his students want to tell him. Maybe he can actually be a teacher and learn something himself.

Maximo A. Gomez

Los Banos, CA

Gomez is the author of “Beyond This Vale of Tears One Cuban Family’s Story,” a guest writer for the Salinas Californian newspaper, a former senior intelligence analyst with the United States Army, a former associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Los Banos, an evangelist, and recently started his own ministry.

Sheriff investigates in-custody death during lunch at county’s Martinez Detention Facility

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

At approximately 10:37 AM on Wednesday, Deputy Sheriffs were conducting lunch meal service on a module at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF).

During meal service, the Deputies discovered that an inmate was not responsive. Deputies called for emergency medical assistance. Medical staff at MDF responded and started life-saving measures. The fire department and an ambulance responded and continued life-saving measures. The inmate was later pronounced deceased.

The 46-year-old male inmate is not being identified at this time. His death appears to be health related.

The officer-involved protocol was initiated. Investigators from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the District Attorney’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death.

Vallejo man dies at county jail in Martinez Wednesday morning

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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Martinez Dentention Facility. Photo by Harry H. on Foursquare

At about 12:47 AM today, a Deputy Sheriff was doing a room check at the Martinez Detention Facility (MDF) when he noticed an inmate was unresponsive in his bunk. The Deputy immediately called for medical assistance and started CPR.

Medical staff at MDF continued life-saving measures. An ambulance and the fire department responded to MDF. The inmate was later pronounced deceased. The inmate is identified as 45-year-old James Darryl Cooper of Vallejo. On January 18, 2018, he was booked into MDF on a warrant for domestic violence. He also had three arrest warrants from Solano County. His death appears to be medically related. An autopsy will be conducted to try to determine the cause of death.

The officer-involved protocol was initiated. Investigators from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and the DA’s Office are conducting an investigation into the death.

Walnut Creek man convicted in commercial bribery case, first one in county in 35 years

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Martinez, CA – On Friday, January 19, 2018, Interim Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton announced the Commercial Bribery conviction by jury trial of Aziz Artykov, age 50, formerly of Walnut Creek.

Aziz Artykov, a former resident of Avalon Bay Walnut Creek Apartments was found guilty of paying bribes to a former Avalon Bay employee, who was in charge of running Avalon’s affordable housing program at that location. The bribes were paid to further Artykov’s illegal scheme of subletting affordable rate apartments at market prices and to extract graft payments from immigrants looking for a place to live at an affordable rate.

In 2011, as part of government approval to build housing, Avalon Bay agreed to rent 20% of its apartments at an “affordable housing” rate, set forth by County rules. At that time, this amounted to 85 apartments which could be rented for $820 for a studio to $1,154 for a three-bedroom apartment. Qualified residents had to earn less than 50% of the County average mean income, which in 2011, was approximately $48,000 for a household of four. In comparison, market rates were appx $1,500 for a studio to $3,000 for a three bedroom.

Artykov, obtained a three-bedroom affordable apartment during the initial opening and began sub-letting rooms in his apartment for market rate prices. Many of these renters where Russian-speaking immigrants, who refused to cooperate with law-enforcement. Artykov also conspired with other residents, who had also obtained affordable housing units at the complex, to live elsewhere while he sub-let their affordable rate units at market rate prices. In one example, defendant conspired with his cousin, Davron Tirov, to sublet 2 rooms in Tirov’s 2-bedroom apartment for $1,700 each while Tirov paid $1,045 under the affordable housing program. The profit went into Tirov’s bank accounts which paid for Artykov’s cheap rent and Tirov’s cheap rent.  Witnesses at trial testified that Tirov was living with his girlfriend in another apartment in the complex, so was never at the affordable rate apartment that he leased.

By the end of 2011, all the affordable rent apartments had been rented and Avalon compiled a waitlist, which grew to over 300 people, before the waitlist was closed.

In order for Artykov to get his selected applicants affordable rate apartments, he befriended the Avalon community manager and from 2011-2015 began paying him cash bribes. The bribes bought access to the waitlist and as the payments increased, the former employee moved the names that Artykov gave him to the top of the waiting list, where those selected people obtained apartments far more quickly than people who had been on the list for many years. Artykov also gave the employee names of persons who weren’t on the waitlist, and they immediately got the next available affordable rate apartment.

Trial witnesses and former residents testified that Artykov approached them and offered to move them into larger apartments quickly if they paid him between $5,000-$15,000 upfront. Artykov knew from having access to the waitlist that these people were next in line to get an apartment. One witness who refused to pay the graft, testified that Artykov offered him an alternative deal, where the witness would let Artykov use his name and financial documents to rent an affordable apartment and Artykov would sub-let the affordable rate apartment at market rate for one year before agreeing to let the resident move into the apartment.

Another witness, testified that Artykov put her on the waiting list, but she forgot about it until almost two years later, when Avalon called to offer her a two-bedroom affordable rate apartment. After she moved in, Artykov kept contacting her about paying him $5,000 for getting her the apartment. When she refused, Artykov threatened to harm her children. She moved her children out of the apartment complex to live with other relatives. When she still refused to pay the $5,000, Artykov ratted her out after one year of living there, and told Avalon that she had a job that made her ineligible for the apartment. Avalon followed up on Artykov’s tip and determined she would not be re-certified at the affordable rate. This witness complained to Avalon management, and was heard to say, “I should have just paid.” Avalon management interviewed this witness and another witness who revealed the scheme between Artykov and the employee. Avalon Management confronted the employee, who immediately confessed and was fired.

Avalon turned over their findings to the District Attorney’s Office and Inspector Rich Van Koll took over the investigation. He brought in a Russian speaking police officer to meet undercover with Artykov at the nearby Starbucks, but Artykov was too suspicious and paranoid to do business with a complete stranger but did make incriminating statements to the officer about what he could offer to do for the right price.

The District Attorney’s office charged the ex-employee, Matt McVicker, with commercial bribery and he took a plea deal to testify against Artykov both at a grand jury and the jury trial which started on January 4 and ended with a guilty verdict after nine days of trial.

Defendant was allowed to continue to be out on bail with a restraining order to stay away from Avalon Bay and the witnesses who testified against him. His sentencing date is April 6, 2018 in Department 8 of the Contra Costa Superior Court.

Deputy District Attorney Dodie Katague, head of the County’s Consumer Protection Unit, prosecuted the case. This case is the first commercial bribery trial in the county in the last 35 years.

CHP Motorcycle Officer injured by DUI driver on Monday recovering from surgery on legs

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Officer Martin Lendway following surgery on his legs. Photo by CHP-Contra Costa

Pittsburg woman arrested on multiple counts

By CHP – Contra Costa

In a post on the CHP – Contra Costa Facebook page on Wednesday it states, “Officer Martin Lendway is a true CHP MOTOR with Blue & Gold running through his veins!! He had successful surgery on both legs and has started his long road to recovery. We truly appreciate everyone’s warm wishes and thoughts & prayers. We are grateful for such a supportive community.”  In a previous post on Tuesday, it states, “THOUGHTS & PRAYERS FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY Join us in our thoughts and prayers as Officer Lendway goes into surgery today for his injuries and wishing him a safe & speedy recovery. Thank you for all your support, we greatly appreciate it.”

On Monday, January 15, 2018 at about 6:15 pm, a Contra Costa CHP Motorcycle Officer, Officer Lendway #19914, was on scene assisting citizens involved in a non-injury two vehicle traffic collision at SR-4 eastbound and Port Chicago Highway.

Officer Lendway assisted the vehicles involved (a black 2013 Ford F-150 and a silver 2014 Lexus ES350) off the roadway and to the center median area where information could be exchanged. Officer Lendway then parked his CHP Motorcycle behind the vehicles with its rear emergency red and blue lights activated to warn traffic and then walked up to help the motorists.

CHP Officer Lendway and a friend. Photo by CHP-Contra Costa.

Officer Lendway stood next to the Lexus while helping the motorist, which was parked just in front of the Ford F-150. Meanwhile, the driver of a black 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer was driving off the roadway and within the center median passing all traffic, and approaching Officer Lendway’s parked motorcycle. But the driver of the Chevrolet continued and collided into the CHP motorcycle, launching it to the right into the lanes of traffic. The driver continued and drove the Chevrolet directly into the back of the parked Ford F-150, catapulting it forward into Officer Lendway and the Lexus. The Ford partially landed on top of Officer Lendway, causing major injuries.

Then in an attempt to avoid the CHP motorcycle that was launched into the lanes of traffic, a blue 2005 Subaru Legacy and a silver 2001 Dodge Ram both swerved to avoid it and collided with each other. Six vehicles in total were involved.

CHP personnel and emergency personnel quickly arrived on scene and began treating Officer Lendway for his injuries. He was then transported to a local Hospital for major injuries but thankfully non-life threatening.

The female driver of the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, Tammy Peggy Louise Walker of Pittsburg, DOB 10-29-1965, was investigated by CHP Officers while on scene for DUI and subsequently arrested for suspicion of FELONY DUI causing great bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence. Walker was taken to a local hospital, treated and released. Then Walker was taken to the Martinez Detention Facility where she was booked for the following charges;

Tammy Peggy Louise Walker arrest photo. Courtesy of KRON4.

-2 counts of FELONY DUI causing great bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence

-Vehicular reckless driving causing bodily injury

-Assault on a peace officer causing great bodily injury

-Driving on a SUSPENDED driver license for a PRIOR DUI conviction and causing great bodily injury to another person

Alcohol and DUI driving are factors in this collision. It is still under investigation. And if there are more people that witnessed this collision or the events leading up to it or the Chevrolet Trailblazer just prior to the collision, please contact Contra Costa CHP in Martinez, (925) 646-4980, Thank you and thank you to those citizens that stopped and help render aid to Officer Lendway.